The 3-Part Grooming Upgrade: Your Face

February 11, 2013 By Andrew| Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Here's why.

Andrew is the editor-in-chief of Electrogent, a men’s interest, grooming, and lifestyle website which squares the modern interests of men with the classic notions of manliness.

As men, we’re uniquely advantaged in the upkeep department. We are usually able to take a shower, get dressed, and get out the door in about a quarter of the time as the fairer sex. However, the bare minimum is often not good enough for guys who care enough about their appearance to read this website (as it should be!). For these guys, consider this three-part grooming upgrade that will leave you feeling as great as you look, without breaking your Dappered-sized budget.

1. Ditch the shaving cream in a can.

Specifically, Barbasol. This stuff has a few things going for it: it’s cheap, it’s ubiquitous, and its well-known. It’s sort of like the Nickelback of the shaving world–you can listen to them, but why would you want to? You can shave with Barbasol, but why would you want to?

The real problem with the shaving cream in a can is that it was created to remove water from whatever it touches. The makers achieve this by using propellants and petroleum-based chemicals that act together to draw water away from the face. However, water on your face is one of the best ways to improve your shave (hence why it’s called “wet shaving”). Water will help raise your facial hair and wet it down in order to soften it up for a quick and painless decapitation. If you use products like Barbasol you’re going to dry out your facial hair (which means more tugging and pulling) and your skin (which will double the damage shaving alone inflicts).

To upgrade from the aerosol can, try a traditional shaving cream. For starters, it’s hard to beat the Crown Shaving Co. line. At $28 it will run you a little bit more than the cheap stuff, but should last you around 50 great quality shaves (note: Crown Shaving is a family barbershop out of Toronto, and their online ordering is via PayPal). You’ll probably also need some sort of shaving brush, and the options there are pretty much limitless. It doesn’t really matter what kind you use, but the purists prefer badger hair. Before you go dropping some cash, ask your grandpa for his–maybe he’s got an awesome one he wouldn’t mind parting with.

2. When it comes to razors, fewer blades are better than many.

We’ve all seen those cartridge razor commercials where they zoom in on an animated hair getting cut 5 times with the same cartridge, each blade cutting closer than the last one. If you have 5 blades cutting at different lengths, I’ve always wondered what purpose the other blades serve. Call me a dreamer, but those commercials beg the question, “Why can’t I just use the single razor that cuts closest to the skin?” The answer: you can.

The Merkur 163. $32 & ships free through MaxtonMen.com

Now that your mind is blown, here’s the scoop: use a double edge razor. A double edge razor, despite its unintuitive name, contains a single blade that essentially is that one blade on the cartridge razor which cuts closest to the skin. The “double” edge name comes from its ability to flip around and cut on the other side. When you use a double edge razor, you’re cutting out all the other unnecessary blades from the equation, which means your skin has (literally) less razor sharp metal scraping against it. This will reduce razor burn, irritation, and dryness.

To ditch the cartridge razors and upgrade to a double edge, I suggest anything from the Merkur line. They are the most reasonably-priced razors for their quality, but you can certainly find some cheaper razors made from plastic. Again, same as before, ask your grandpa. I know a guy who inherited a beautiful wooden handled double edge razor from his grandpa who was going to throw it away.

3. Protect your skin with a moisturizer.

If you recoil into the fetal position when I say, “moisturizer,” you’re not without company. Most guys I know shy away from moisturizer because that’s girl stuff. Well, unfortunately, the girls have it right on this one, guys. If you want to get the most out of your grooming routine you’re going to need to use a little moisturizer every day. I know, I know.

$42 for 4 oz via Amazon.

Moisturizer is incredibly useful stuff. Most (good) moisturizers have some sort of low SPF built in, which is great for everyday casual protection from the sun (you’ll need to use more powerful stuff if you head out to the beach, though). In addition, moisturizers both prevent oily skin and softens up dry skin by providing the perfect middle ground for your skin. Lastly, moisturizing lowers the amount of sebum your skin produces. Sebum is that gross waxy stuff that builds up in your pores and causes pimples. A good moisturizer will act as a substitute for your skin’s sebum, lowering the instances of sebum-induced blackheads.

The absolute best (considering quality and cost) moisturizer on the market is Urth’s face balm (usually $42 for 4 oz. Ships free through Amazon if you have Prime). Yeah, the upfront price is pretty steep, but I’ve used the same 4 ounce bottle for close to a year because you only need to use a dab about the size of a pencil eraser. It has everything you can want in a moisturizer, and when used after a nice shave, will help repair your skin back to its natural state.

In conclusion, switching to a traditional shaving cream, a single-blade razor, and using a quality moisturizer are three great upgrades you can make for your skin without breaking the bank or going full-on Mrs. Doubtfire at a spa. Continued application of this 3-part routine will surely bring beneficial changes to your skin over time.

What are some ways you’ve upgraded your grooming routine in the past? Do you have any other suggestions for the cream-in-a-can guys? Help out your fellow man in the comments below.

Comments

I just made the change in the past three weeks – after I discovered this sight and a few others that Dappered associates with- and I agree that using a DE razor give me the type of shave that I thought I would get from from my Mach Turbo (at least that’s what the advertisements told me I would get- and I’ve been shaving for almost 20 years!) I got the Merkur classic 1904 (Maxton Men) and use the COL Conk Almond and Amber soap- I just started using a Nevea after shave balm and that totally makes a difference! Very happy with the switch! I hear Clubmen after shave lotion is the best stuff for made in the USA while the Italians have some fantastic stuff as well. Two weeks of not using an aftershave lotion and then adding that into the rotation… night and day difference! Makes everything that much better! Maxton Men had the best deals on the Merkurs that I could find at the time even over Amazon.

The Art of Shaving. I bought a small tube of their sandle wood(I think) in August and still have it today, but I shave twice per week. They said shave once, then reapply and shave AGAINST the grain. My face is unimaginably smooth for at least a day. It rivals a straight ravor shave from the barber, which I also advocate if you can find one.

The company also has pre shave gel which is supposed to be incredible. No, I don’t work for them but do want to back a solid product. My middle eastern(hairy) friends rave about it.

For you gentlemen who aren’t sure about making this change, I recommend EveryManJack products to test out the process without breaking the bank. I don’t use anything for pre-shave other than hot water, but their shave and post-shave products are nice and can be picked up at your local Target. There’s no excuse not to try them. http://everymanjack.com/categories/shave/

I’ve been shaving with a double-edge razor for over a year now and I cannot say enough about it. I used to ALWAYS get razor burn, nicks, cuts whatever no matter what cartridge or cream or gel I used. Switched to a double-edge and never looked back.

I second the call for anything Merkur – their line is 100% solid. In my opinion, their blades are decent but by far, hands down the best are Feather. If you do any research, you’ll see that Feather blades are the sharpest blades made and they are but don’t let that scare you. By a pack and try them out. They’ve worked out the best for me and have no pull whatsoever (I even had a week’s worth of beard going that they cut right through like it was nothing). I would recommend getting 5 blades of different brands and see what works for yourself. Once you find the one you like, amazon has great prices for 100 packs that will last you a long time and are much cheaper than the cartridges you used to buy (for example, amazon has 100 Feather blades for $30.00, making each blade $0.03 and 100 blades will last easily over a year for me).

For creams, I prefer soaps. I just picked up the Art of Shaving’s unscented soap (in a nice wood bowl) and I love it. Lathers nicely and easily and doesn’t dry out your face (some cheaper soaps did for me like Williams mug soap).

As for brush, I have an Edwin Jagger badger hair brush. Go with a good brush if you can swing it – it’ll last longer and save you in the long run. Badger hair is best and it’s nice and soft on your face.

I would also advocate for the use of shaving oil – apply it before your cream/soap. I find it cuts down on any irritation exponentially. I’ve personally used Art of Shaving and American Crew and have had success with both.

I too really dig the EMJ line. I use their fragrance free shave cream (not gel, but lotion-like cream) and their signature mint post-shave face lotion. Both are excellent products for a smaller step up from aerosol can gels/creams, if you’d not ready to go the big leap to shaving soaps/brushes, etc. They are ULTRA affordable, too, Dappered-budget-wise speaking.

I still use a multi-bladed razor, though. Been using this Gillette Fusin ProGlide Power 5-blade(?) one for a couple years. It rocks!

I may soon try the next level, with a safety razor, brush, soap, dish, etc. but for now these work very well.

I made the switch to a Merker razor and my dad’s old brush and cup about a year and a half ago. 3 months later I started growing out my beard and I haven’t shaved (trimmed, yes; shaved, no) since. Then whenever I trim it up I go ahead and clean up the neck and sides quickly with the same clippers without the guard. Not as good as the razor, but it’s fast and it does work.

I switched to the Merkur from the Mach 5 about a year and a half ago. I like the Body Shop’s shaving cream, pre-shave oil, and moisturizer. Don’t forget the Pinaud aftershave either! The cost to switch is a little pricey up front– the new razor being the most expensive– over time this method ends up saving you quite a bit of money, esp. since the replacement blades are very cheap with the double edge razor.

That soap is unnecessarily expensive. There are great shaving soaps out there for way less money. I swear by Cella, which I think runs 12 bucks a tub. I don’t shave every day, but got way more than a year out of the last one. Proraso is at a similar price point and also high quality. Heck, even Arko is pretty awesome, and you could shave for the next 20 years off 28 bucks worth. Granted, the cost per use of a 28 buck soap is still low, but you don’t have to go anwywhere near that expensive.

I tried different blades, altered my pre-shave routine, consulted a bunch of guides and resources…my shaves took nearly an hour and all I got was the worst razor burn of my life–repeatedly. Once I figured out that my water is probably hard and I may need to try distilled, I threw up my hands. I need special water to shave?

I know that there is a combination of technique and products that will give me a wonderful wet shave, and I know that there are plenty of people who will help me through the process. But I had grown to despise trying to find that mythical combination, so I stopped. I get a nice shave with my overpriced razor cartridges and will pay for the privilege.

You’re not the only one. I tried to make the switch, but went back to cartridges (Dorco – you can only buy them on line but they’re just as good as Mach 3 for a fraction of the price). It takes some practice and real care to get a good comfortable shave with a safety razor, because the head doesn’t pivot to maintain a good cutting angle with your skin. You have to do the pivoting with your hand. If you’re really careful and really take your time, you can get a nice shave that’s marginally more comfortable than with a cartridge. If you’re in a hurry it’s nicks galore. Sometimes, when I have extra time I still use the Merkur, but most mornings it’s cartridges, because it’s fast and reasonably comfortable.

I’ve used more expensive ones but the Kiss My Face brand is reasonably cheap and just as good as anything that costs more money. It lathers great, even over a pre-shave oil (oil takes the lather out of some creams).

I’ve got to add my voice to the chorus of people saying that these are awfully pricey for beginning products. The Merkur razor is good stuff, and the shave cream and moisturizer may be worth every penny, but a guy (or gal) can try out wet shaving for a lot less.

RazoRock “La Famiglia” soaps, or Proraso creams would be a great start at a third of the cost or less. Moisturizer or aftershave balms w/ good healing properties can be had for a lot less than $42, too.

But no disrespect to the fellas who are into the upgraded shave thing though. But I haven’t been clean shaven in forever, so, when I do use a razor, it’s something basic. A little moisturizer can go a long way though. Especially if you live in a dry climate. Like: “oh hey, there’s blood on my shirt because my thumb just spontaneously split open” dry.

I used AOS for years before ditching them. It’s too expensive for what you get. I can make my own pre-shave oil for 1/20th the cost that AOS charges. A high quality shaving cream can be had for half the cost that AOS charges.

That said, I still haven’t found a good after-shave. AOS still gets me on that.

Love that this blog’s tagline is “affordable men’s style” and here’s a post about ditching affordable shaving for a system that’ll cost you $102. I use Barbasol because it’s affordable and unfussy. No razor burn. Great manly smell. You can call it the “Nickelback of the shaving world” but everyone knows only tuneless idiots spend fortunes on finicky “cremes”. Shave like a man, dummy—i.e. without fussing over spendy products.

Feather blades are exceptional but terribly sharp. For a beginner I’d probably recommend something not quite so deadly. When I first started I had a five pack of Feather blades and a five pack of Treet Platinums. The Feathers tore me up as I was learning the proper technique but I got along pretty well with the Treets. My first time using a DE I was a bloody mess. Once I learned how to shave (don’t push!) I switched back to the Feathers.

Dinosaur embryos aside, I’ve switched to the suggested items above and never have been happier! I can’t believe the money I’ve dropped on plastic razors. Now I spend $10 for 100 double edge razors. I’m set for two, maybe three years!

The only change I would make is the lotion. Cetiphil is the best lotion I’ve ever used. You can get it at Walgreen’s for $10 a bottle. Lasts forever and is not greasy. Very gentle. I used it before I shave, and if needed, after. Love it.

I’ve actually made the opposite transition, from DE with a silver tipped badger hair brush, back to a Gillette Mach 3 and Barbasol (both combos in the picture, ironically). The reason is time. I attend a service academy and the difference in the morning between a 5 minute shave and a 1 minute shave is significant.